With almost free Walloon buses for 18-24 year olds from September 1, 2022, are we witnessing a rush on TEC subscriptions in Wallonia? “The online and physical counters have only been open since August 1, so it is a little early to draw up an initial assessment,” says Stéphane Thiery, marketing director at TEC. “All we are seeing at the moment is that more and more customers are taking their subscription online. We have developed quite a few tools (application, internet, etc.) to make their lives easier. For the 18-24 age group, we will have to wait for the start of the school year for higher education, in mid-September, to see more clearly.
On the entire network + Express lines
Three categories of passengers will benefit from this almost free access on the buses of the entire network and express lines of Wallonia from September 1, with a subscription at €1 per month (or €12 per year). These are over 65s, BIM customers and 18-24 year olds.
Free admission was already acquired for children under 6 and for 6-11 year olds too (but with a Mobib card sold for 5 € for a validity of 5 years, for this last age group).
The 11-17 year olds, the forgotten ones?
No favors, however, for 12-17 year olds who will continue to pay €16.10 per month or €132 per year (for 1 to 2 zones). Or a little less for those who benefit from a reduction for large families, for example. Discriminated, teenagers? “No, certainly not”, answers the office of the Minister of Mobility Philippe Henry (Ecolo). “But the PS-MR-Ecolo government agreement clearly targeted three categories of customer. The 18-24 year olds were selected because we are aiming with them for modal transfer. At this age, we embark on higher education or a new training, or we embark on working life. It’s a turning point in life. This is the age when you have to choose a means of transport, when you think about your driver’s license, the purchase of a scooter, etc. By offering them almost free travel on the bus (and on the Express lines), we want to attract them to the bus and teach them new habits. We would like them to reduce their travel by car and no longer choose the bus as a last solution (because they have no other choice), but really as their means of transport, possibly combined with the bicycle . We are aiming for a modal transfer”.
“Freedom doesn’t solve everything…”
But why not instil these new habits from the age of 11, by also offering the youngest this bus at 1 € per month? “There is a government agreement for seniors, BIM and 18-24 year olds, it was included in the regional policy declaration. For budgetary reasons, the government could not make the general gratuity. This does not mean that it will not be done for 11-17 year olds during a next legislature. Let’s not forget that free does not solve everything. Behind it, you need a network and consistent schedules.
Also for children of BIM clients
Element little known to travellers: 11-17 year olds can benefit from the almost free subscription (€1/month or €12/year) if one of the parents is recognized as BIM (beneficiary of increased intervention). As well as the spouse.
By the way, why does this subscription advertised as free still cost a (very little) bit? “For technical reasons of accounting and VAT”, we are told, without further details.
Two new Express lines
Also for this September start, the TEC announces the opening of two new Express lines in Wallonia: the E23 Eupen – Büllingen – St-Vith – Burg-Reuland and the E83 Gembloux – Charleroi. These two lines are in addition to the 26 lines that already exist and which connect one city to another.